Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #6400 in Computer & Video Games
• Brand: Capcom
• Released on: 2004-09-17
• Rating: To Be Announced
• Platform: PlayStation2

Amazon.co.uk Review
Most Resident Evil games are all about you being stuck entirely on your own trying to escape from a mansion full of flesh-eating zombies--and worse. Resident Evil: Outbreak though was originally designed as an online multi-player game where up to four people could co-operate to escape the zombie apocalypse that is Raccoon City. Unfortuately, "for technical reasons", the final UK version of the game doesn't have any online features at all--but it's a decent enough offline single-player game.

The most notable aspect about Outbreak is the graphics--they're almost as good as the GameCube versions and yet they're in full 3-D instead of just having static 2-D backdrops. Together with the constant calls for help from other people this makes the game one of the most cinematic yet, although the slow-paced psychological horror of the first game has been replaced by all-out fast-paced terror.

Things are made even more difficult since most of the eight characters you can choose to play as are ordinary men and women, not super-cops, so you usually start the game with no weapons other than those you can find scattered around. Although perhaps not the best game in the Resident Evil series, Outbreak is still well worth a look for fans of the genre.--David Jenkins

Manufacturer's Description
Resident Evil Outbreak supports both single player and online multiplayer game modes set within the Resident Evil universe. Resident Evil Outbreak sees the return of two familiar heroes and introduces an all-new story. Featuring a new assortment of characters, the game retains the signature storytelling, visuals, and spine-chilling audio that Capcom's survival-horror fans demand.

Resident Evil Outbreak tells the dramatic story of escaping from decaying zombies infected with the T-virus, and the ultimate struggle to escape from Raccoon City. An outbreak of a secret biological weapon has infected the people of this isolated town which has caused everyday people to turn into flesh-eating zombies that swarm the streets. In a final attempt to stop the spread of the zombies the city is engulfed in flames. A fight is being fought by S.T.A.R.S. (Special Tactics and Rescue Squads) members Leon Kennedy and Claire Redfield as they are trapped within this horrific nightmare. They wage their war against the pharmaceutical giant, Umbrella who are responsible for the events leading up to this disaster. In the shadow of this nightmare are a few meagre survivors. These survivors must find a way to get out of this city before the government quarantines the entire area by firing a missile and destroying all traces of life. Players must beat the clock or die trying.

Customer Reviews

Panic
Other resident evil games fulfilled the 'horror' part of the survival horror genre. This game however is the opposite, and dispenses you into a situation that is getting worse with the arrival of zombies and other hordes of undead monsters. Add in two computer controlled characters, and you'll realise the emphasis is not always on you; monsters never single you out, and the characters have just as much opportunities to interact with the game world as you do. The lack of weapons and items, and the fact enemies pursue you relentlessly from room to room means quick-thinking and hiding is key to survival. The other characters may be a burden, but you dont have to help them. If they die, the game is not over, and you can continue in your escape. This game, though very experimental, has some flaws, but the risks you need to take in order to complete it overshadow these, and rank the game as being one of the classic resident evil titles, whether online or off.

The Last "Original" Resident Evil
If your big fan of horror games or the Resident Evil games I do tell you to get this game. It's 8 minature levels provide a fun gameplay unlike any of the other games in the series. It will be the last "original" game in the series as they are now turning anime with the zombies being able to carry Chainsaws and talk to each other.

The Uk version however, does not have a single multiplayer mode in the game which was EXTREMELY dissapointing. Your computer partners in the game are suicidal and each level takes 1 hour tops to complete. These are the only reasons why it lost three stars.

Other than that, the graphics are great, clever storyline (which I don't want to give away) and an amazing amount of Special features which you can unlock such as movies, costumes, sound effects and pictures.

If you want some fun. Buy this game but if you want some extreme zombie shooting game which you can get really involved in, buy an earlier one in the series.

Thanks for listening

Not so bad if contract this one!
I was rather sceptical when these Resident Evil spin off games came out, no original characters and plots did seem rather uninteresting, however I decided to give them a go and so I bought Outbreak. What can I say about this game? Well actually it's pretty damn good once you get into it. In this RE outing you can actually choose which character to play, they range from a Racoon City police officer to a barmaid even a plumber! In apperence it looks just the same as any other Resident Evil game but the gameplay is somewhat different. On each level you choose a character to play and then will have 2 computer controlled characters along side you. These 2 characters follow you and you can give them weapons and health items etc, and you need to watch out for their wellbeing if you want to complete the level as they're the only assistance you have, if they are wounded you may need to help them to safety, sometimes at risk to yourself. Now I know what your thinking, just two mindless drones that will get in the way and slow you down, well I can tell you now, that's not how it works.

As I've been playing the game more and more I have found they do actually help you out, you can actually call out for help using the R3 button and they will come running and, if armed, will fire at any zombie, licker or BOW attacking you. You will find many guns and other weapons in the game but don't be greedy because it wont help you, instead of hoarding the weapons hand some to your team mates and they will help you, trust me. The part I find so good about this game is that because you have to look out for other characters in real time you have a more involved gameing experiance, it really gives a sense of commanding responsibility as you actually find yourself dashing recklessly into danger to help them because you actually see them as a friend and want them to survive alongside you. I love that if you find a Magnum handgun and already access to 2 shotguns you'll happily give those guns to the others and keep the Magnum, they're you backup should things get nasty, and they regularly do.

Overall I think that this game is based around the 2nd Resident Evil film where one character leads a small group of survivors to safety, so if you like that film then you'll love this. The game does have some downsides but nothing we haven't seen before. As with all the other RE games it takes a day and an age just to go through a door which can become very trying, also the objectives are often very obscure and will often find yourself wandering around aimlessly for ages and then suddenly, but accidentally, stumble across something. However putting these aside the game plays very good, the Scenario game is basically small sub levels, each one is a self contained game really and what with an Infinity mode you can unlock later there's plenty to keep you occupied.